DARPA’s RP Arms in Transition: From Miracle into Reality - May 2011

Feature

DARPA’s RP Arms in Transition: From Miracle into Reality
By Judith Philipps Otto

"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." -W. Clement Stone, American author (1902-2002) What child doesn't love a good fairy tale, where miracles are conceived in dreams and achieved with the wave of a wand? In the rea...

Feature

Dynamic Collaborations: When the Sum Makes All the Parts GreaterBy Pam Martin

When O&P research combines with practitioner education and clinical patient care, great things can happen. From left: Wendy Hill, BSc, OT; Adam Savoy; Greg Bush, BA, CP; and Adam Clawson, MEng. Photograph courtesy of the University of New Brunswick.

Perspective

Be the Expert that You Are
By Joseph Sadowski, CPO

The number of activities for individuals suffering from limb loss has exploded. Compared to the amputee patient of years past, today we have patients who inquire regularly about swimming, jogging, cycling, and even more challenging activities such...

Shop Talk

How to Do an Alignment Transfer
By Jason Kimmel

A practitioner can spend hours fine-tuning the alignment of a lower-limb prosthesis. A technician transferring this alignment can lose it in seconds. Alignment transfer is a common task with ample failure potential.

Extraordinary O&P

Garrett Jones: Life Is Good
By Laura Hochnadel

Sports

The Winter Sports Clinic Is Changing Lives for Disabled Vets
By Pam Martin

"We had plenty of speed and plenty of good snow to catch a good edge, and today was probably the best run I've ever had." —Adaptive skier, Dave Riley, the 2010 Disabled Veteran of the Year. U.S. Coast Guard veteran and quadrilateral amputee, Dav...

Residency Report

Prosthetics of Hope
By Ronald Dickson

In my March column, I mentioned that I had gone on a prosthetics mission to Haiti recently, which was organized by one of our patients, Kevin Valentine, a pastor at a local church. I was chosen to go along with my colleague, Michael Littles, CP, t...

Face to Face

Face to Face: Robert Dodson, CPO, LPO

Robert Dodson, clinical manager at Advanced Arm Dynamics Southwest Center of Excellence, Dallas, Texas, hones his skills by working with patients with upper-limb amputations—a good many of whom are veterans who were injured in the line of duty. Do...

Education Outlook

Home Stretch
By Matthew Scoggin

Since the age of 18, my life has been closely tied to recruited "movers" (otherwise known as friends and family) and a 16-foot Penske truck. There is an exciting, unspoken rhythm to packing up, moving somewhere new to attend school, and packing up...

Got FAQS?

Got FAQS?
By Lisa Lake-Salmon

Denials are difficult to identify and time-consuming to appeal. When denials have you at your wit's end, "Got FAQs?" can help you get your billing back on track. This month's column addresses your questions about L-Codes for lower-limb prostheses,...

Industry Review

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." -Michelangelo, as quoted by Scott Cummings, PT, CPO, FAAOP, during the opening session on March 17....

Viewpoint

Breaking Down Walls
By Karen Henry

When I returned to the office after attending the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) Policy Forum in Washington DC, the wall between our office suite and the suite next door had been torn down. Fortunately, this was not the result o...

Online Exclusive

Endolite Expands Training Program

EDGE Direct In anticipation of the upcoming launch of the ORION, our newest microprocessor knee, we are pleased to announce an expanded training program that includes certification courses for the ORION. Courses are being held throughout the Unit...

Becker Oregon's CRO Walker is a
neuropathic healing boot designed to
offer maximum flexibility and patient
comfort, as well as ease of maintenance
for the attending practitioner. The orthosis
consists of a custom-molded clamshell
design in your choice of composites
or thermoplastics, with a removable,
self-molding plantar liner and subliner
available in 5mm and 10mm
Plastazote® or Aliplast®. Removable,
interchangeable liners allow for swelling
and edema issues and assist in cleaning and replacement.

The REL-K® (Rizzoli Electronic Knee), a
Fillauer LLC exclusive in the U.S. market,
is the latest generation of microprocessor
knees. With six control modes, the patient
can walk, run, negotiate slopes, climb stairs,
or ride a bicycle. An innovative position- and
load-sensor system samples angular position,
velocity, and knee loads 1,000 times per
second. The REL-K instantly works with the
patient and adjusts itself for optimum performance.
Because the load sensor is located
proximally, most foot and pylon combinations
can be used, and it is adaptable to a variety of
foot and ankle components.

The enhanced adult ADR™ UltraSafeStep™
will be similar in size to the pediatric version
of the ADR™ UltraSafeGait™. Ultraflex's exclusive Adjustable
Dynamic Response™ technology is designed for managing gait
dysfunction, crouch, equinus, and variants of crouch and equinus.

Orthomerica® Products introduces the new California®
Ventura™ spinal brace that is easy-to-fit yet simple for the
patient to don and doff. The Ventura
provides controlled levels of stability
by featuring easily adjustable, rigid
plastic components-making it ideal
throughout rehabilitation. When spinal
control of extension and flexion is
desired, the Ventura is the perfect fit.
The patented, compound closure system
provides patient-regulated compression to
supplement abdominal musculature. The
Ventura is available with a tall (L-0631) or
short (L-0627) rigid posterior panel.

Brand new for 2011! Delivering a lower profile, the Velocity™ foot's coupled toe springs work together to provide a progressively smooth roll over. It combines high functionality and no maintenance, with easy heel adjustment capabilities for finetuning. We are offering a special introductory price now through June 30, 2011.

The bivalve Oasis Rehab™ with rigid
anterior and posterior polymer panels
provides compression and stabilization
from L1 to L5 vertebrae. The Rehab
anterior is available in neutral or pendulous
abdomen; the posterior is available
in three different degrees of lordosis,
resulting in an intimate fit that provides
support, comfort, control, and increased
patient compliance.

This promotion applies to standard pricing and cannot be combined
with any other discounts or promotions. Find out more
about these and other products on our website.

Orthopedic and Tamarack Habilitation Technologies.
Upon completion of a short exam, qualifying professionals will
receive two PCE credits from the American Board for Certification
in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC).

The Alpha® Original MP Liner by WillowWood delivers
comfort and protection to a residual limb and is the powerhouse
core of the Alpha Liner family. The Alpha Original
MP, available in locking and cushion,
features a uniform gel style, green/gray
fabric, and 6mm gel thickness. These are
the most popular Alpha Liner options from
WillowWood.

The Alpha Original MP Liner has skinfriendly,
mineral-oil-based classic gel that
gently adheres to the skin and protects against
abrasion and breakdown. The durable fabric
helps extend the life of the liner.

The Helix3D Hip Joint takes advantage of a groundbreaking
design to create a more natural, three-dimensional hip movement.
Its polycentric design improves toe clearance and provides
three-dimensional movement that mimics the movement of the
human pelvis, and the hydraulic provides greater stability every
step of the way. The results for your patient are dramatic-greater
stability and less compensatory
movements to make every
step more stable and confident.
Contact Otto Bock HealthCare
to find out more about how
you can get your patients into
Helix3D today.

The University Cervical Collar is designed
for multipurpose long-term patient care,
comfort, and ease of adjustability. It is
universally sized and has unique, patentpending
variable height positioning for fast
and secure adjustments. Simply pull out
the dual adjustment tabs, select the height,
and reengage.

Friddle's new Silicone Polishing Arbor, #700501, is composed
of high-durometer silicone, which provides extended life of the
arbor. Dimensions are 2-inch diameter by 4-inch long tapered,
with standard ½-13 threads. This arbor is perfect for polishing all
thermoplastics. It is not suitable for polishing metals or composite
materials. A variable speed router is recommended.

The new THRIVE™ from Freedom
Innovations is the world's first loadactivated
prosthetic foot. Ideal for
those who work in construction,
farming, or any occupation that
requires heavy lifting, the dualkeel
design manages additional
loads (up to 30% of the user's body
weight) by providing incremental
support. This ensures consistent
performance and ultimately greater
confidence among users.

Durable and easy to clean, Skin
Natural gloves provide more
realistic characteristics due to
a multilayered structure that
creates an impression of depth.
The PVC-based material provides
robust features for the gloves,
showing high durability compared
to other materials. Skin Natural is appropriate for patients
wearing myoelectric, body-powered, and passive-arm prostheses.
Contact Otto Bock HealthCare to find out how to get your patients
into Skin Natural today.

Every client is different. For the exceptionally
active client in need of transtibial
suspension, Syncor's Durasleeve HD is
constructed of the highest-quality, heavyduty
neoprene for exceptional durability.
Limited dexterity creates its own challenges,
and the Durasleeve EZ meets
them with the security of a virtually failsafe
suction system, yet it is easy to don
and doff.

OPTEC USA's stock modular braces
restrict unwanted movement and control
the spine in single or multiple planes
of motion. Prefabricated sizes can be
trimmed, molded, or modified to provide
a custom fit. OPTEC USA's rigid spinal
system provides the superior
stabilization
and support that your patients need with
the ultimate comfort they deserve.

SALO not included in sale.

This promotion applies to standard pricing and cannot be combined
with any other discounts or promotions. Find out more
about these and other products on our website.

Amputees wearing cotton cast socks often complain about their
durability. Our filler sock is a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend with a
nylon-reinforced toe. They last longer than cotton cast socks and
are less expensive than one-ply
prosthetic socks.

No side seam.

With or without distal hole.

Circumferential stretch.

Great price and quality.

Does not ravel when cut.

Sold in packages of one dozen. Exceptional service and no backorder
delays!

SPS offers the new Shift Lock Series from ST&G. The Shift Clutch and Shift Shuttle Locks have a unique plate that has three lock locations to allow for easy offset adjustments in test sockets or definitive sockets. Both locks are available with a four-hole plate to compensate for variance between pin and socket alignment, are appropriate for laminated or thermoplastic sockets, and have a 300-lb. weight limit.

Quality Outcomes' newest service in its comprehensive patient
satisfaction survey program, Benchmarking reports, provides
participating firms with a satisfaction survey score to compare
their results to national averages among the other firms using the
system.

Reports provide a broad overview of performance and direct
comparisons through individual survey questions for identifying
trends and documenting issues and resolutions.

Benchmarking reveals practitioner performance and how
results compare to similar practices, making it an important tool
for observing cause-and-effect
relationships in patient care and
for making decisions on maintaining
accreditation and meeting
payer standards.

Fabtech Systems is now distributing Leftside Industries Bartlett Tendon Universal Knee System. This unique knee system can be used in many applications and can easily be adjusted to compensate for a variety of activities. The knee system has been designed for use in many extreme environments: hot, cold, dry, wet, mud, sand, and snow. It is the perfect choice for high-activity sports such as bike riding, skiing, and snowboarding.

Dycor's toe-filler (L-5000) and ankle-height (L-5010) partial foot prostheses incorporate custom silicone liners (L-5681) and advanced composite sockets (L-5629). A flexible keel can be extended from the socket into the forefoot (L-5972). Low-definition protective covers (L-5962) are available in tan or brown and made from urethane or silicone.

Cast the residuum inside the appropriately fitting shoe and on top of the corrective device, if used. Indicate trim lines, ML/AP vertical reference, a tracing of the contralateral foot, and the shoe in which the cast was taken. Prior to molding, call Dycor technical services.

Consistent with being the industry's innovation leader, Comfort Products is the first company to incorporate silver yarn into a sheath product. Embedded with X-Static® silver yarn, Comfort's Silver Liner Sheath™ helps eliminate skin problems common to many liner wearers, including dermatitis, rashes, and odor-all without compromising suspension.

The Silver Liner Sheath is compatible with all liners, as well as standard prosthetic socks. Prosthetic practitioners are advised to consider the Silver Liner Sheath for their patients-in stock for immediate availability.

SPS now has the new Touch Bionics™ electrode for use on all i-LIMB™ hands and most other upper-limb myoelectric prostheses.

The electrode ships with all components required to manufacture laminated and thermoplastic inner socket options. The highfrequency shielding and filtering minimize the effects of electromagnetic interference.

BioSim software can be used to create custom electrode adjustments for the i-LIMB Hand and i-LIMB Pulse. The electrodes have an operating temperature range of 5-140° F and a frequency bandwidth of 90-450Hz.

During 2Q11, you'll receive a second year of Performance Protection Plan FREE with each Pulse purchase.